Pope travels as "pilgrim of peace" after so many wars in Iraq

Pope Francis will travel to Iraq as a "pilgrim of peace" to ask for "forgiveness and reconciliation after years of war and terrorism" and in "search of fraternity" with other religions during his historic visit, during which he will visit emblematic places in the "cradle of civilisation".

"I come as a repentant pilgrim to implore the Lord for forgiveness and reconciliation after years of war and terrorism, to ask God for the consolation of hearts and the healing of wounds," the pontiff said in a video message to the Iraqi people on the eve of the start of the visit.

The Pope explains that he will arrive in "the cradle of Civilisation" as "a pilgrim of peace in search of fraternity, animated by the desire to pray together and walk together, even with brothers and sisters of other religious traditions, in the sign of their father Abraham, who gathers Muslims, Jews and Christians into one family".

Among the places the Pope will visit is Ur, where Abraham, the prophet of the three great monotheistic religions, was born, and where Francis will hold an inter-religious meeting.

He will also meet with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, one of the main leaders of the Shiites around the world, in a meeting of enormous importance for dialogue between religions.

Pope Francis wanted to recall the suffering of Christians and other persecuted minorities, especially by Daesh terrorists: "You still have in your eyes the images of destroyed houses and desecrated churches, and in your hearts the wounds of affection left behind and abandoned homes".

"I would like to bring you the affectionate caress of the whole Church, which is close to you and to the tormented Middle East and encourages you to go on," he adds, urging them not to give up: "Let us not allow the terrible sufferings that you have experienced and that pain me so much to take over. Let us not give up in the face of the spread of evil".

The Pope salutes all those who "have suffered so much, but have not allowed themselves to be destroyed" and mentions Christians and Muslims, as well as the Yazidi people, "who have suffered so much, all brothers and sisters", before urging them to let themselves be "infected by the hope that encourages us to rebuild and start again".

"And in these difficult times of pandemic, let us help to strengthen fraternity, to build together a future of peace," he concludes.